Cuts watch update

As budgets for 2015 are being announced, further cuts to youth services are likely to occur as local councils have their funding reduced again. Youth services are not a statutory requirement, and so they are more likely to be cut than other services that are provided by local authorities. None of the main political parties have pledged to create a statutory requirement for youth services, or that funding cuts will be reversed.

Services affected

Brighton and Hove council has announced that children and young people’s services will be reduced in the next financial year. The loss of £2.5 million from the budget will also affect voluntary and community services as some receive grants from the council. Four children’s centres are to be closed within the area.

Hampshire County Council is also reducing funding to children’s services, with a possibility of 80% reductions to the youth service. Following consultations with the local community it has been announced that the youth service will receive £1 million more than was previously planned, allowing the youth service to continue to maintain a service for young people.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has had its funding for youth services cut by 81% by Hampshire County Council. This will mean the closure of the majority of youth services in the area. There are plans to replace services with “youth pods”, 23 of which will be opened across the county. One of these will be in Basingstoke, meaning that the youth service in the area is reduced to 12 hours a week.

West Berkshire is consulting members of the local community about proposed cuts to services, which could see the closure of detached youth work services in the area, in addition to a job club for NEET young people.

Brent Council is currently holding a consultation with members of the local community about which services will need to be reduced or cut in aid of saving £54 million. Youth services are among those being considered for closure, with the potential loss of children’s centres, a day care centre, and respite care for families of young people with additional needs.